Namrata Thakker picks 6 cine ways to celebrate Maha Shivratri.
154 Hindu pilgrims from India have traveled to Pakistan's Katas Raj Mahadev Temple to celebrate Maha Shivratri.
A lemon was sold for Rs 13,000 at an auction during Maha Shivaratri celebrations at a temple in Tamil Nadu. Other items, including a silver ring and coin, were also auctioned off, with proceeds going towards temple development.
Bollywood celebrates Maha Shivratri with prayers and pictures.
According to an official statement by SFI Delhi, the ABVP members attacked some students in the university mess for not complying with their demand that non-vegetarian food should not be served on Maha Shivratri.
A visual journey through some major events of 2025, from the spiritual grandeur of Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj to the strategic success of Operation Sindoor, India's decisive military response following the Pahalgam terror attack.
'We've been toying with the idea of working together. This project seems the best way to collaborate on something special.'
The annual Magh Kumbh Mela 2026 is underway at Prayagraj from January 3 to February 15.
On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, a giant Trimurti made of margarine (butter), has been built at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai.
"The Maha Kumbh had already passed on Purnima. What is currently happening is the 'Sarkari Kumbh. The real Kumbh takes place in the month of Magh. The full moon of the Magh month had passed, and all the 'Kalpavasi' who were at the Kumbh had already left after the Purnima of Magh month," Shankaracharya said.
Cricketers from the Indian subcontinent also showcased their devotion through temple visits and rituals.
Maha Shivratri, one of India's most revered Hindu festivals, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrated with deep devotion across the country.
On Monday, February 24, 2025, women led the Ganga Aarti at the Triveni Sangam, sending a strong message about inclusivity.
Called Herath, this was the first major Hindu festival being celebrated in the Valley after Jammu and Kashmir was changed into a Union territory last year.
Glimpses of Lord Shiva being worshipped on Mahashivratri.
Months after the last big success in the Hindi film industry, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, there is another big one running successfully in theatres.
A senior railway official in Bihar was left stunned when a group of rural women claimed that they had been allowed to travel without tickets by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident occurred at the Buxar railway station bordering Uttar Pradesh, where the official was inspecting the station due to the higher-than-expected rush of pilgrims visiting the Maha Kumbh. The official, Danapur Divisional Railway Manager Jayant Kumar, asked the women if they had tickets, and when they replied in the negative, he asked who told them they could travel without tickets. The women replied "Narendra Modi told us so," leaving the official speechless for a few seconds before he corrected them, stating that neither the prime minister nor any other authority had allowed this. The video of the conversation has gone viral on social media.
The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to prevent the Isha Foundation from conducting Mahasivarathri celebrations at its Coimbatore campus. The petitioner had alleged that the foundation lacked adequate sewage treatment facilities and caused noise pollution. However, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) informed the court that the foundation has adequate treatment facilities and complies with noise regulations. The court dismissed the petition, allowing the celebrations to proceed.
A record number of devotees are expected to take part in the first 'Amrit Snan' of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Tuesday, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. The event is significant as it marks the participation of the 'Akharas' and is also the first 'snan' after the grand Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. The Uttar Pradesh government anticipates a total of 35 crore devotees visiting Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela.
The Maha Kumbh, billed as the world's largest gathering, concluded on Wednesday after 45 days, with lakhs of devotees taking a dip in the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite a stampede that killed at least 30 people, millions continued to visit the Kumbh, seeking salvation through the ritual bath. The event saw a mix of faith, tradition, and technology, drawing pilgrims and tourists from across the globe.
Security has been tightened in Haridwar for the first day of the Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) on Friday, as thousands of devotees are expected to take a dip in the River Ganga to mark the festival of Maha Shivratri. Around 10,000 security personnel have been deployed in Haridwar to thwart any kind of untoward incident when devotees, including ash-covered Naga sadhus participate in the festivities
The actor was joined by his wife, two sons, parents, maternal grandparents and elder sister Sunaina.
It said Sadhguru has acquired uniqueness pertaining to his personality qua his voice, name, signature, image, likeness, vocal, articulation style and his unique attire, looks or appearance.
Prayagraj is transforming into a massive temporary city to host the Maha Kumbh, the world's largest religious gathering, expected to draw over 40 crore pilgrims. The preparations include extensive infrastructure development, including 160,000 tents, 150,000 toilets, and a 1,250-km pipeline network. The event, starting on January 13, will culminate on February 26, bringing together millions of devotees for the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Speculation is rife that Sunetra Pawar could be fielded by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency against Sule, who is Ajit's cousin and the daughter of party founder Sharad Pawar.
The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of a YouTube video by YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh alleging misconduct against spiritual guru Sadhguru's Isha Foundation. The court found the video's title "clickbait" and restrained Singh from further publishing allegations against the foundation. The court also directed X (formerly Twitter), Meta and Google to remove the alleged defamatory content.
The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) for delaying legal action against Isha Foundation, a yoga and meditation center founded by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, over alleged environmental violations. The court criticized the TNPCB for taking two years to challenge a Madras High Court ruling that quashed a showcause notice against the foundation. The court also emphasized the importance of environmental compliance for the yoga center, noting that it must meet all necessary parameters. The case highlights ongoing legal challenges and environmental concerns related to the Isha Foundation's activities.
The Prayagraj airport in India is experiencing a surge in air traffic due to the Maha Kumbh, a major religious festival. The airport is handling an average of 40 non-scheduled charters and private jets daily, with figures reaching 70 on weekends. This is in addition to the average 148 scheduled commercial passenger aircraft operating daily. The airport recently received a contingent of about 180 politicians from Rajasthan and has seen corporate bigwigs like the Ambani brothers, Gautam Adani, and Pawan Munjal pass through. The airport has also hosted four international flights since the beginning of the Maha Kumbh, including a flight carrying Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The airport is currently undergoing an upgrade and expansion, and officials are looking forward to the government's plans to integrate Prayagraj with the airports at Kashi and Ayodhya to promote tourism in the region.
Inspired by the earnings of boat operators during the 2019 Ardh Kumbh, a boatman's family in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj took a bold entrepreneurial step during the recently concluded Mahakumbh Mela 2025, generating a staggering profit of Rs 30 crore.
'The cost of flying to Prayagraj has gone up six times due to the Kumbh Mela.'
The Supreme Court of India has refused to interfere with a Madras High Court order quashing notices issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) against Isha Foundation, founded by Jaggi Vasudev. The notices were issued for alleged violation of environmental norms in the construction of a yoga and meditation center in Coimbatore. The court, however, emphasized that its order should not be seen as a precedent for regularizing illegal constructions and that Isha Foundation must comply with all environmental norms. The foundation had argued that its facilities fall under the education category, which exempts them from needing environmental clearance.
In a significant move, 130 Dalit families in West Bengal were finally allowed to enter the Gidheshwar Shiv Temple after being barred for nearly three centuries due to caste discrimination. The families, who are primarily cobblers and weavers, had faced social and economic exclusion for their attempts to worship at the temple. Local authorities intervened after multiple rounds of discussions with village elders, temple servants, and political leaders, leading to a resolution of the long-standing dispute.
Every Indian must visit the National War Memorial in Delhi where every soldier who made the supreme sacrifice for the Motherland is remembered in gold letters.
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There are some "disturbing" inputs about a terror attack in India aimed at creating the "maximum media impact" during the Shivratri festival and the ongoing Parliament session, a top army commander disclosed in Pathankot on Saturday with an assurance that steps have been taken to deal with it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the holy occasion.
Prayagraj is a must-visit place in 2025, but in January and February you can't miss the Maha Kumbh, a spectacular event like no other.
They also demanded immediate release of their pending salaries in view of the 'Maha Shivratri' festival, being observed later this week.
The world is under the spell of Lord Shiva as his day, the MahaShivratri, is being celebrated across the globe by his devotees.
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